Building intergenerational bridges through Storytime

Thursday 15 October

Today, October 15, on the day of ‘Shwmae Su’mae’ (An opportunity to have fun and share the language – in the shop, leisure centre, work and with friends.), Mudiad Meithrin are celebrating a voluntary project in co-operation with Merched y Wawr. The aim of the project, which is funded by ‘The Big Lottery Fund’ is to provide 50 ‘cylchoedd meithrin’ (Welsh-language playgroups) with monthly visits over a period of 5 months by a local member of ‘Merched y Wawr’. The ‘Bodo’ (aunty) will lead a story time session with the children at the ‘Cylch Meithrin.

"The aim of 'bodo' is to extend the skills of Welsh staff working at the local level by offering practical support to them in the Cylch Meithrin. The Cylch has an important role of offering quality care and experiences in a fun and adventurous way to the children of Wales. This is not always easy in a few locations where some staff lack confidence in their use of the Welsh language. As Merched y Wawr members support staff in the local cylch, the staff will then develop the confidence they need to enrich and increase the children’s language skills. This is timely to celebrate and note on ‘Shwmae Su’mae’ day.

Tegwen Morris, National Director of the Merched y Wawr said:

"The members of the Merched y Wawr are known for their desire and willingness to volunteer and are therefore pleased to support the work of Mudiad Meithrin in a truly practical way. It's great to see a large number of Cylchoedd Meithrin benefit from the time and support of Merched y Wawr members; it’s also beneficial to the children to hear a story in their local and natural Welsh dialect.”

In Cylch Meithrin Llanuwchllyn, Meirionnydd Bodo Elin has been visiting the children as part of the Bodo storytime project. Bodo Elin attends her local cylch meithrin to read a series of books about Dewin, Mudiad Meithrin’s lovable character.

In the picture Olwen Chapman from Llanerfyl who is currently volunteering at Cylch Meithrin Dyffryn Banw, Trefaldwyn / Montgomery.

The photograph shows Llinos Jones from Capel Bangor who is volunteering at Cylch Meithrin Penllwyn, Ceredigion, with the children and staff, Jools Davies, Shirley Evans and Iola Jones Morris.

Bodo Llinos has been visiting Cylch Meithrin Penllwyn in Ceredigion as part of the project. She has been reading a series of books and stories about ‘Dewin’, Mudiad Meithrin’s lovable character. Bodo Llinos said:
"I love children and enjoy being with them here in ‘Cylch Meithrin’ Penllwyn. By reading the stories I feel that the children enjoy listening and contributing to the story, by doing so they’re enhancing and extending their language."

In Cylch Meithrin Pentrebaen, Cardiff; Gil and Carol have been visiting the children as part of the ‘Bodo’ (aunty) project. They attend their local cylch meithrin to read a series of books about Dewin, Mudiad Meithrin’s lovable character

Bodo Gil and Carol said:

"It gives us great pleasure to visit Cylch Meithrin Pentrebaen to read with the children. We hope that the children will benefit from the experience as well."